The by-election for the Safata No.1 constituency will be on 6 February 2026, said the Electoral Commissioner, Tuiafelolo John Stanley, during a press conference on Monday.

The Office of the Electoral Commissioner will issue the Writ of Election on Monday. 

Confirmation of polling booths used will be on 14 January. Tuiafelolo confirmed that they are planning to set up 13 polling booths, which will include mobile booths for the hospital and essential services.

The nomination of candidates will be on Friday, 16 January, and will close at the end of that same day. A publication of candidates will also be made on the day, as per Section 48 of the Electoral Act.

The nomination challenge application will be on Monday, 19 January.

The last day for withdrawal of nominations will be 22 January, and on 23 January, a public notice of polling booths will be issued.

Tuiafelolo said the OEC staff will be used for this by-election, and there will be no outsiders. There will be a refresher training for the OEC staff who will be working as polling officials and the official count.

Scrutineers will have their training on 29 January.

All voters who wish to pre-poll will have to apply as they did in the general election last year, and the pre-polling will be done on 4 February.

The official counts will be conducted on the following day, 7 February and the return of the writ will be on 9 February.

Safata No.1 constituency's seat was declared vacant by the Electoral Court after it ruled that the winning candidate Seve Te'i Fuimaono and petitioner Leaana Ronnie Posini were guilty of corrupt practices during the general election.